Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1992

The Committee at its last session urged the Costa Rican authorities to implement an IUCN recommendation to modify the boundary of the Talamanca-La Amistad Reserves of Costa Rica by deleting four Indian reserves in the north-eastern Atlantic sector of the site. As recommended by the Committee the Secretariat, by letter of 4 February 1992, requested the Costa Rican authorities to consider revising the boundary of the site and submit a map showing the new boundary. Such a map showing the revised boundary of the Talamanca-La Amistad Reserves of Costa Rica has not yet been received.

The Secretariat informed the Panamanian authorities, by letter of 6 February 1992, that the Committee was deeply concerned that 59,000 ha of the La Amistad National Park of Panama had been given to Texaco for oil exploitation, without consulting the Panamanian conservation authorities and in contravention to the law creating the Park. The Panamanian authorities who participated in the IVth World Parks Congress, held in Caracas, Venezuela, in February 1992, informed representatives from the Secretariat and IUCN who participated in the Congress, that due to the intervention of several national and international organizations concerned with nature conservation, the Government of Panama has decided to abandon its proposals for oil exploitation in the La Amistad National Park of Panama.

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1992

The Bureau commended the Panamanian authorities for preventing 59,000 hectares of La Amistad National Park being released for oil exploration.

The Bureau noted that the Costa Rican authorities have not responded to the Secretariat's letter of 6 February 1992, requesting them to consider revising the boundaries of the Talamanca-La Amistad Reserves by deleting four Indian Reserves in the north-eastern Atlantic sector and to submit a map showing the new boundaries of the site. Furthermore, the Bureau was also informed by the representative of IUCN that earlier plans to construct a road through the middle of the Talamanca-La Amistad Reserves of Costa Rica were also being revived.

The Bureau instructed the World Heritage Centre to contact the Costa Rican authorities to request, once again, that they consider revising the boundaries of the Reserves and provide a map showing the new boundaries. Furthermore, the Bureau requested the World Heritage Centre to obtain detailed information regarding the proposal for constructing a road through the middle of the Talamanca-La Amistad Reserves, including an assessment of the potential impact of this project on the state of conservation of the site.

The recommendations of the Bureau were transmitted to the Costa Rican authorities by a letter dated 14 August 1992 and a reply is awaited.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1992

Adopted

Draft Decision

16BURV.19

Talamanca-La Amistad National Park (Costa Rica/Panama)

The Bureau commended the Panamanian authorities for preventing 59,000 hectares of La Amistad National Park being released for oil exploration.

The Bureau noted that the Costa Rican authorities have not responded to the Secretariat's letter of 6 February 1992, requesting them to consider revising the boundaries of the Talamanca-La Amistad Reserves by deleting four Indian Reserves in the north-eastern Atlantic sector and submit a map showing the new boundaries of the site. Furthermore, the Bureau was also informed by the representative of IUCN that earlier plans to construct a road through the middle of the Talamanca-La Amistad Reserves of Costa Rica were also being revived.

The Bureau requested the World Heritage Centre to contact the Costa Rican authorities to request, once again, that they consider revising the boundaries of the Reserves and provide a map showing the new boundaries. Furthermore, the Bureau requested the World Heritage Centre to obtain detailed information regarding the proposal for constructing a road through the middle of the Talamanca-La Amistad Reserves, including an assessment of the potential impact of this project on the state of conservation of the site. A report on the situation should be given to the Committee at its forthcoming session.

16COMVIII

SOC: Talamanca-La Amistad National Park (Costa Rica/Panama)

Talamanca-La Amistad National Park (Costa Rica-Panama)

The Committee commended the Panamanian authorities for preventing 59,000 hectares of La Amistad National Park being released for oil exploration.

The Committee noted that the Costa Rican authorities have not yet informed the Centre of their views on its recommendation, made at its last session, to consider revising the boundaries of the Talamanca-La Amistad Reserves by deleting four Indian Reserves in the north-eastern Atlantic sector and submit a map showing the new boundaries of the site. The Committee was also informed of a proposal to construct a road through the Talamanca-La Amistad Reserves and that the Costa Rican authorities have not yet responded to the Centre's request for information on the proposal and its potential impact on the state of conservation of the site.

The Committee instructed the Centre to contact the Costa Rican authorities to request, once again, (a) that they consider revising the boundaries of the Reserves and provide a map showing the new boundaries and (b) to obtain detailed information regarding the proposal for constructing a road through the middle of the Talamanca-La Amistad Reserves, including an assessment of the potential impact of this project on the state of conservation of the site.

The Committee instructed the Centre to contact the Costa Rican authorities to request, once again, (a) that they consider revising the boundaries of the Reserves and provide a map showing the new boundaries and (b) to obtain detailed information regarding the proposal for constructing a road through the middle of the Talamanca-La Amistad Reserves, including an assessment of the potential impact of this project on the state of conservation of the site.

Documents examined by the Committee in 1992

Exports

* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).